Segmental rotary brush



May 26, 1964 B. E. NELSON SEGMENTAL ROTARY BRUSH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 20, 1960 ATTCRNEYS May 26, 1964 B. E. NELSON SEGMENTAL ROTARY BRUSH Filed Oct. 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 INVENTOR.

BROOKS E. NELSON m y my ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,134,123 SEGMENTAL RGTARY BRUSH Brooks E. Nelson, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, assiguor to The @shorn Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Get. 20, 196i), Ser. No. 63,945 4 Claims. (Cl. 15-182) This invention relates as indicated to a novel segmental rotary brush, and more particularly to a power driven rotary brush having a hub of generally cylindrical form adapted to be produced from continuous extruded shapes. This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 827,508, filed July 16, 1959, now abandoned.

It is well known to manufacture power driven rotary brushes having cylindrical hubs or hubs formed of a plurality of axially aligned discs with lengths of brush strip mounted thereon extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation. Many means have been used to retain the usual channelform brush strip back on such hubs such as taper head screws, inturned channel lips, formed channels, lugs, etc. A serious defect has usually been encountered in that intermittent or localized pressure is exerted on the brush strip channel back which tends to cause breakage of the brush bristle fill material at these points. In addition to such bristle breakage, under severe loading of the brush, the brush strip back itself may be excessively locally stressed. Cylindrical shells or hubs on which the brush elements proper are mounted are also known having helically wound brush strip or annular brush sections mounted thereon as disclosed in Peterson Patent 2,757,401. Such cylindrical hubs are adapted for mounting on arbors of various types and shapes and constitute an efficient and economical form of brush construction. It is desirable, however, when utilizing lengths of brush strip mounted to extend generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the brushing tool that such lengths of brush strip be firmly secured in a manner which nevertheless permits their removal and replacement when worn.

It is accordingly an important object of my invention to provide a power driven rotary brush having a cylindrical hub formed of a plurality of interconnected extruded sections.

Another object is to provide such brush in which both the hub sections and the lengths of brush strip mounted thereon are helically formed for improved action on the work.

Still another object is to provide such brush construction which will avoid local concentrations of stress on the brush strip back portions and brush fill material.

A further object is to provide such brush which will be particularly resistant to the effects of shocks imposed thereon.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

FIG. 1 is an end view of a power driven rotary brush embodying the principles of my invention, partly broken away in a local area to disclose the inner construction thereof;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 22 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of a modified form of power driven rotary brush embodying the principles of my invention; and

3,134,123 Patented May 26., 1964 FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 44 on FIG. 3.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of said drawing, a cylindrical metal shell is provided comprising five extruded arcuate segments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 which may be of metal or plastic, for example, secured by means of rivets such as rivet 6 to strong but resiliently deformable annular hub end members 7 and 8 which may be of rubber, for example, and have keyways such as 9 formed therein for mounting on the usual arbor or mandrel. The rubber hub members 7 and 8 may be bonded to the inner surface of corresponding sheet metal cylinders 10 and 11 better to engage rivets 6.

The individual arcuate segments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 com prising the shell are of identical construction and may consist of legnths cut from the same continuous extruded member. Each segment carries two parallel longitudinally extending channel portions 12 and 13 adapted to receive corresponding lengths of commercially available brush strip inserted longitudinally therein. Such brush strip may, for example, desirably be of the type disclosed in Peterson Patent 2,303,386 having a channelform sheet metal back 14 within which a layer of brush material 15 is retained by doubling about a retaining wire 16 extending longitudinally therewithin, such retaining wire desirably being itself secured beneath teeth such as 17 punched in from the respective sides of the channel back. The lips 18 and 19 of each of the extruded channel portions 12 and 13 are formed somewhat turned in toward one another so as closely to overlie the respective upper edges of the brush strip back 14 to hold the latter against radially outward movement under the influence of centrifugal force.

The ends of the brush strip sheet metal channel back 14 may desirably be pinched together as indicated at 20 to prevent loss of bristles where the brush strip has thus been severed into separate lengths. Likewise, the extreme ends of the brush strip holding channels such as 12 and 13 may be slightly deformed after insertion of the brush strip to prevent axial slipping of the brush strip out of such channels.

While the extruded cylindrical segments may have their respective edges straight and parallel to the axis of the hub members on which they are mounted, it Will frequently be preferred to form such segments in long lead helical shape so that their interengaging side edge margins such as 21 and 22 are of such long lead helical conformation, as are also, of course, the brush strip retaining channels such as 12 and 13. The number of such channels and the closeness of their spacing circumferentially of the brush is a matter of choice depending upon the particular operation for which the brush is designed to be employed. One side edge margin of each segment is formed with a longitudinally extending groove 23 and the other side edge is formed with a stepped flange 24 adapted to interfit therewith when such segments are mounted on hub members 7 and 8. A hub and shell assembly is thereby produced which is of very considerable strength and accurately formed, into which appropriate lengths of brush strip may be conveniently fitted in a very expeditious manner. Concentrations of stress on the brush strip back and on the brush fill material are avoided so that the brush is long-lived in use. Nevertheless, when it becomes necessary or desirable to replace the brush strip inserts, this may likewise be accomplished very expeditiously and with a minimum of down time. Because the hub shell segments are of a form suitable for continuous extrusion from such Hittrials as aluminum, phenol formaldehyde resins, polyethylene plastic, polystyrene plastic, and rubber, for example, they are also quite inexpensive despite the somewhat elaborate appearing design of the finished assembly. In

other words, the brush is produced principally from lengths of brush strip and annular shell segments, both of which are adapted for manufacture by low cost continuous methods. a The brush material utilized may be of any type desired depending upon the operation for which it is intended, including crimped wire, synthetic monofilaments such as nylon, horsehair, tampico fiber, and textile buff materials. The hub shell segments may be extruded straight and subsequently deformed to helical conformation, this method ordinarily being preferred, but such segments may be extruded from a die shaped to produce such helical conformation initially if desired. The segments may also be rolled from continuous lengths of metal strip which is then cut into shorter equal lengths for use in accordance with the invention. I ordinarily prefer to extrude a suitable strong, self-supporting material, however, to facilitate formation of such features as the inturned opposed lips of the channels and the interlocking side edges. While the elastomeric hub members may likewise be continuously extruded and sectioned, they will ordinarily be molded in individual mold cavities. Such hub members may be of rubber, neoprene (polychloroprene) or other vibration damping, shock-absorbing material. Clamping end plates may be mounted on the arbor or mandrel in well-known manner if desired and may close the ends of the channels to prevent undesired axial displacement of the lengths of brush strip therein.

Now referring more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawing, the embodiment of the invention there illustrated comprises a cylindrical metal shell formed of three extruded arcuate segments 25, 26 and 27 generally corresponding to the segments 15 inclusive of the FIG. 1 embodiment. Each such segment, however, is provided with a dovetail tongue such as 28 extending longitudinally thereof and a similar dovetail groove such as 29 extending along its other longitudinal side so that the three segments may be firmly interlocked in the manner shown in FIG. 3 to produce a complete annular unit adapted to receive the lengths of brush strip such as 30 longitudinally inserted within the radially outwardly opening channels such as 31. In the embodiment illustrated, each arcuate section includes three such channels arranged so that all nine lengths of brush strip in the finished brush are equally spaced apart circumferentially of the brush as sembly. The radially outer lips of each channel may be necked in similarly to those of the FIG. 1 embodiment described above in order firmly to secure the brush strip back therein against the action of centrifugal force while at the same time permitting ready longitudinal insertion and removal of lengths of brush strip. Likewise as in the FIG. 1 embodiment, the extruded cylindrical segments may have their respective edges straight and parallel to the axis of rotation of the brush, but it will frequently be preferred to form the segments in long lead helical shape so that their interengaging side edge margins (tongues 28 and grooves 29) are of such long lead helical conformation, as are also, of course, the brush strip retaining channels such as 31. Each of the three cylindrical segments is identical to the others, and all may be formed from the same continuous extrusion cut into appropriate lengths.

While hub members such as 7 and 8 may be utilized in conjunction with the modified cylindrical brush strip supporting shell of the FIG. 3 embodiment of the invention, an annular metal hub member or adapter 32 is illustrated having diametrically opposed slots 33 and 34 therein to facilitate keying the assembly to an appropriate arbor or mandrel. Such adapter is also provided with three radially outwardly projecting protruberances 35, 36 and 37 spaced 120 apart adapted to fit in corresponding slots such as 38 and 39 milled in the respective ends of each of the three arcuate segments. These slots may conveniently be located in the bottom end portions of corresponding brush strip receiving channels of such segments. In consequence, the driving torque will be transmitted from the arbor or mandrel to the end adapters such as 32 through keys engaged in keyways 33 and 34 and then through integral protuberances or lugs 35, 36 and 37 to each of such arcuate segments. A well-bal anced assembly results without undue strain being imposed upon any particular component part in use.

The segmental rotary brush of FIGS. 3 and 4 forms a self-supporting unit even when the adapters or hub members such as 32 are not provided, and end clamping plates of well-known type may be provided if desired to secure the lengths of brush strip against axial withdrawl from their respective mounting channels.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A rotary brush comprising spaced co-axial annular hub members and a thin generally cylindrical shell attached thereto, said shell comprising a plurality of identical extruded arcuate segments of long lead helical shape secured to said hub members and jointly encompassing the same, said segments being relatively thin and each having at least one radially outwardly opening long lead helical longitudinally extending channel portion with inturned opposed lips, and lengths of brush strip inserted in said respective channel portions, said brush strip having elongated sheet metal backs of channel shape seated within said channel portions and secured therein by said inturned opposed lips closely overlying the outer edges of said backs, with brush material projecting outwardly from said backs, and the adjoining edges of adjacent segments being interengaged with one another further to rigidify the structure.

2. A rotary brush com rising a plurality of thin helical arcuate metal segments, dovetails and complementary dovetail grooves extending along opposite longitudinal edges of said segments whereby said segments are interengaged to form a generally cylindrical assembly, each of said segments having at least one radially outwardly opening long lead helical longitudinally extending channel portion integral therewith and lengths of brush strip inserted in said respective channel portions and retained therein with the brush material projecting generally radially outwardly.

3. The brush of claim 2 comprises of at least three said segments mounted on and individually interengaged with inner annular hub members adjacent the respective ends thereof.

4. The brush of claim 3, wherein said hub members have outwardly projecting protuberances on their outer peripheries interengaged in corresponding slots in the ends of said respective segments.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 417,566 Knowles et al. Dec. 17, 1889 498,659 Johnston May 30, 1893 991,876 Murray May 9, 1911 2,136,103 Herold Nov. 8, 1938 2,285,375 Hansen June 2, 1942 2,411,488 White Nov. 19, 1946 2,525,947 Rose Oct. 17, 1950 2,575,635 Meyer et al. Nov. 20, 1951 2,651,799 Lombardi Sept. 15, 1953 2,673,440 Sawyer et al Mar. 30, 1954 2,782,439 Ballard Feb. 26, 1957 2,783,095 Ballard Feb. 26, 1957 2,820,235 Nelsin Jan. 21, 1958 2,970,333 Jones Feb. 7, 1961 2,978,725 Whitman Apr. 11, 1961 2,978,726 Pack Apr. 11, 1961 3,038,189 Harr June 12, 1962 

2. A ROTARY BRUSH COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF THIN HELICAL ARCUATE METAL SEGMENTS, DOVETAILS AND COMPLEMENTARY DOVETAIL GROOVES EXTENDING ALONG OPPOSITE LONGITUDINAL EDGES OF SAID SEGMENTS WHEREBY SAID SEGMENTS ARE INTERENGAGED TO FORM A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL ASSEMBLY, EACH OF SAID SEGMENTS HAVING AT LEAST ONE RADIALLY OUTWARDLY OPENING LONG LEAD HELICAL LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CHANNEL PORTION INTEGRAL THEREWITH AND LENGTHS OF BRUSH STRIP INSERTED IN SAID RESPECTIVE CHANNEL PORTIONS AND RETAINED THEREIN WITH THE BRUSH MATERIAL PROJECTING GENERALLY RADIALLY OUTWARDLY. 